They were landmark buildings once seen as unique examples of modern architecture.

But the former Norgas Training College and Stephenson House in Killingworth, North Tyneside, are long gone.

The buildings, at the Stephenson Industrial Estate, were originally designed by Gordon Ryder and Peter Yates.

Their practice produced mainly 1960s modernist style projects including a series of buildings, most of which were for the gas industry, in Killingworth.

These included the 1965 Norgas House, which was used as the HQ for the Northern Gas Board and its successor National Grid, the Stephenson House office block, and the Norgas college, which later became Chan House after clothing importers Chan Casuals Ltd moved into the premises.

Stephenson House in Killingworth (Image: ncjMedia archives)

However the buildings became vacant and for years no new occupiers could be found, despite marketing campaigns. They started to suffer from vandalism and were even dubbed as eyesores.

They were eventually demolished a few years ago as part of plans to redevelop the sites.

Now, work is taking place to construct a new Lidl store at the former Chan warehouse.

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“There was no demand for them, people were comparing these buildings to more up-to-date office accommodation elsewhere - no-one was interested in moving in.

“The structures became dilapidated, they were boarded up for a long time and were being vandalised. Decisions were then made to pull them down to help regenerate the area.

The former Norgas Training College in Killingworth (Image: ncjMedia archives)

“A similar project is under way at Camperdown Industrial Estate, where old industrial units are being replaced with new homes.

“The whole area is going to look very different in a few years’ time.”

At Camperdown Industrial Estate, on the edge of Killingworth village, a £5.5m scheme has started to build 36 two and three-bedroomed homes and four two-bedroomed bungalows.

The new Silverbirch development, being constructed by Galliford Try Partnerships North East for Riverside Housing Group, is expected to be completed by May 2018.

The homes will be made available as shared ownership properties, allowing people who may feel priced out of the housing market to buy a percentage stake in a property of between 25% and 75%, whilst paying rent on the remainder.